The first term is slowly ebbing away as the Winter break draws near. I do hope you are keeping warm as the weather turns. It will be a brief newsletter from HFS this week.

Open Day

On Monday 3rd of December HFS is proud to be holding an open day. Any current and prospective parents of students are welcome to view and participate in the dynamic teaching and learning taking place at our school.

Open Day Overview

9:30 am

Brief Presentation at hall

9:45 am

School Tour

10:00 am

Refreshment at the cafeteria

10:30 am

Roaming the school and Open Class

11:30 am

Q&A, Farewell at the hall

Invite friends and join us on that December morning from 09:30 am for those new to HFS to have a presentation and a tour of our school or from 10:30 am if you want to see the students and teachers in action and have an opportunity to see what is happening at HFS.

Theo’s performance at Dongrami theater

We are so proud of our year 4 student, Theo Fatet, for his wonderful performance in the Dongrami theater production of “The Wizard of Oz”. Mr. Gaffney and myself enjoyed the production immensely and all the young actors did so well. I look forward to seeing more productions at the theater and encourage parents who would like to have their children develop their performing skills to consider this fantastic drama school.

FS1/2/Year 1 School trip

The FS1/2/Year 1 students went on a lovely field trip to the new area in Daewangam this week and they had an awesome time. They explored the playgrounds and a truly sensory experience enjoying what is on offer at the new children’s center. Please enjoy these pictures of their amazing learning experience.

Winter Cold bug

Finally, as is to be expected in the wintry weather, there is a cold going around affecting staff and students at the school. It is a minor bug but if you have not done so yet please visit a local doctor or clinic and get a flu shot to keep your body safe. If your children do feel a little under the weather, please stay home and rest for a day or two until you have recovered.

That is all for this week, thank you for your continued support and do keep warm this weekend.

We are approaching the end of term one and preparing to welcome winter as the fall leaves fade. Thank you to all of the parents who kindly volunteered to assist at lunch breaks. Having an extra pair of eyes and hands makes a great difference to the smooth running of the cafeteria during mealtimes.

School trips

The year 1/2/3’s had a wonderful trip to Kidzania on Thursday. It is a spectacular theme park and the students made the most of their time there. They got the opportunity to have hands-on job experiences as airline pilots, beauticians, being chocolatiers, reviving patients as doctors, putting out fires as firemen and caring for animals as vets and much more. A special thank you to Mrs. Florovskiy for her assistance on the day. I look forward to seeing the work they produce from this valuable practical learning experience.

Please enjoy the photos of this fantastic trip and see our Facebook page or class web pages for more.

On Tuesday the FS1/2 and Year 1’s will have a sensory experience exploring the new park at Daewangam as well as a fun clay-making activity. They are all excited for that upcoming trip as they have been exploring their senses these last few weeks, including in this scrumptious activity baking apple-crumble.

Theo performing at Dongrami Theater

On Tuesday 13 November our own Year 4 student Theo will be performing multiple roles, including the title role, in the Dongrami Theater stage production of “The Wizard of OZ”. Well done Theo! It takes great nerve and confidence to perform on stage and we wish you the best of luck. If you would like to attend and support him, please see the flyer below. The performance starts at 7:30 pm.

Books home overnight

On Monday 12 November student workbooks from the year 1 to 9 classes will be sent home so that parents can examine the work that has been done over the course of term one. Please take this opportunity to comment on your child’s learning and progress and return the books on Tuesday so that work in them can continue.

That is all for this week. Thank you for your continued support. Do have an enjoyable weekend and stay warm.

As November comes so does the winter chill. Please take care and keep warm. Colds and sniffles are rampant so if you think your child is a little unwell please have them rest and recover at home for a day or two.

Scary Dress up Day

Thank you for your contribution and participation in our scary dress up day activities. The staff and students all had wonderfully creative costumes and a great effort was made by all to make the event as enjoyable as it was. Thank you to everyone for their generous donations to the treat packs and to the PTA for putting them together and preparing popcorn for the movie. Well done to the students for creating amazingly spooky activities for people to explore. The evening was a great success and I look forward to repeating it next year.

With the weather rapidly growing colder and owing to such a short time for organizing it has been decided that we move the fall fun day to Spring. The warmer weather and additional time will allow for a bigger, better event. We will keep you informed regarding updates and progress.

School trips

Today the Year 4 to 9’s took a trip to Yangdong Cultural village. I’m sure it was a rewarding learning experience and we are keen to see what work they generate from attending this historical site.

On Thursday 8th November the year 1, 2, 3 students will make a trip to the Kidzania theme park in Busan. We are all very excited to experience what it is like to perform different jobs in a real-world setting. More details will follow next week.

On Tuesday 13th November the year FS1/2 and Year 1 students will attend the new section of the park at Daewangam. Please see the class web-page for more information.

Lunchtime volunteers

We are calling on any parents who may be available between 12:30 and 1:00 pm to put their names down to be an extra set of eyes and hands during our daily lunch period. One person a day will be a great help. If you would like to volunteer, please fill your name on the calendar on the school notice board in the waiting area outside the office.

Autumn is in full swing and I hope you are enjoying the beauty of the changing leaves as the season turns. Thank you to everyone for the generous candy donations toward the festivities. The children are sure to have a bountiful day next Wednesday.

Scary Dress-Up Day

On Wednesday 31st October HFS will have its Scary Dress-Up Day to celebrate the popular holiday of the season. Children, and staff, are welcome to dress up in costumes and as scary characters for the day. Classes will run as scheduled but teachers will devote some learning time to appreciating what the day is all about.

Swimming and Yoga clubs will go ahead as normal. Students who do not participate in those clubs can meet in the library at 3:30 to enjoy a fun movie until the activities start. FS1/2/Y1 students will take the school bus at 3:30 as per usual, if any would like to participate, they can join Ms. M from 4:45 until 5:30 in her classroom for some spooky crafts and games.

At 4:45 Year 2-9 should meet in the school hall to partake in the spooky activities that the students of the Year 2/3, Year 4/5/6 and Year 7/8/9 classes have put together for everyone to enjoy. The event will run until 5:45 and you may collect your child from then. It will be a frightfully funny evening.

Fall Fun Day

On Saturday November 10th the PTA will be holding a Fall Fun Day in the Hanmaeum Center courtyard by the fountain. It will run from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm. The event is to raise funds to cover the costs of the school yearbook and other PTA projects. There will be food stalls, fun and games stalls and a “Treasures and Trinkets” stall of donated books, clothing, toys and other items. Please join us for a fun few hours in the name of a worthwhile cause. If you have any items to donate, please send them with your child to school. We are calling on people to participate by volunteering to manage a stall for an hour or prepare a food item to sell at the food stall. If you would like to assist with either of these please email the PTA at pta@hyundaiforeignschool.com and explain the time you can be available or the food item that you will prepare. Thank you for your support in this fantastic endeavor.

Class Dojo and Health and Fitness at HFS.

I am pleased to report that our school-wide rewards system has taken off successfully and the students are enthusiastically embracing the program. We will take it a step further in the coming weeks by allowing students to create their own individual portfolios and class pages to share with you.

If you have not joined Please subscribe to your child’s Class Dojo class or contact the class teacher if you are unsure. It will be a wonderful space for the students to show their work.

School Trips

The Year 7 to 9 trip to UNIST was successful and it really opened the students’ eyes as to what their future University life will look like.

We have the upcoming Year 4-9 trip to Yangdong Village on Friday 2nd November and the Year 1-3 trip to Kidzania on Thursday 8th November that the students are excited for. Please send the 10,000 won payment for the trip to the admin office by Monday 29th October.

Lunch Time Volunteer Sign-Up Sheet

If any parent would like to sign up to volunteer to be an extra set of eyes in the cafeteria from 12:30 pm to 1 pm there is a sheet posted on the school notice board outside the admin office. One parent per day for 30 minutes is all that is required so if you feel that you could offer your assistance please fill your name on the sheet for the day you would like to volunteer.

We are mid-way through the term and many exciting things are happening at HFS. We have a number of significant events and activities planned for this half of the semester that I am eager to share with you.

October the 31st is a noteworthy and fun day on the calendar. At HFS we plan to celebrate this with some spooky and fun activities for the students to participate in. As per the holiday’s tradition we would like to provide each student with a small bag of sweet “Treats” and we are asking each parent to donate a bag of candy toward the festivities. Please send the candy item (with no nuts in it) to school by Friday 26 October so that we have sufficient time to put the treat bags together.

GL Assessment Week

From October 22 to October 29 We will be conducting GL Assessment tests for the year 2 to Year 9 students. These formative tests (for which students do not prepare) are designed to assess and inform teaching and learning by providing a gauge of the students current learning level and ability in English, Math and Science. Since we follow the British National Curriculum it makes sense that we adopt the GL Assessment program which is the leading provider of formative assessments to UK schools, as well as providing assessments for overseas ministries and British, bilingual and international schools in over 100 countries worldwide. I look forward to seeing the positive results from our hard-working students.

I trust you kept safe and dry as the typhoon battered our town last weekend. It seems Autumn is upon us as there is a slight chill in the air and the time is approaching for us to don jackets and scarves. I am happy to report on some positive developments from this week.

Swimming Club

Despite the weather cooling I am excited for the start of the Swimming Club on Tuesday 16th October. Thankfully the swimming pools are heated and warm showers are available for before and after the lessons. Please ensure that your child attends the correct lesson for which they have signed up and that they bring a bathing cap and goggles. Those who have signed up will receive more detailed information later today.

PTA Meeting

Our next meeting of the Parent Teacher’s Association will be on Wednesday 17th October at 3:30. I look forward to the enjoyable and productive monthly get together. Please feel free to attend if you have any concerns or issues you would like to discuss.

I am pleased to report that the school reward system is up and running. Invitations for parents to view their child’s progress have been sent. If you have not received an invitation, please check your spam box or contact your child’s class teacher. I look forward to seeing the outcomes of this fun and motivating initiative.

First Aid CPR Course

Despite the inclement weather last weekend, the teachers and staff of HFS took time to complete a Level 1 CPR and First aid course. It was informative and useful to learn the correct procedures to follow in a medical emergency and, though we hope that none of these new skills will ever have to be used, it is comforting to know that staff and teachers at HFS are equipped to handle such situations should they occur.

Farewell to Dhanya

Sadly we must bid farewell to Dhanya and the Kotikalapudi family this week. Dhanya has been a student at HFS since early years and she will be sorely missed. We wish her and her entire family all the best luck and happiness as they embark on their journey back to India. Farewell Dhanya, We know you will do well wherever you are.

Welcome back. I trust that everyone is rested and had a wonderful time with family over the Chuseok break. This will be a brief newsletter since it is a short school week.

School Closed on Hangeul Day

Tuesday 9th October is Hangeul Proclamation Day. It is a National Holiday in Korea and as such The school will be closed for the day.

No Nut Policy at HFS

As you are aware HFS has adopted a “No Nut Policy” in all foodstuffs across the school. There are a few students with severe nut allergies and in the interest of their health, safety and well-being it is vital that no nuts are brought on to the school premises in all lunch and snack items. Parents are kindly asked to bear this in mind and take care when packing snack and lunch boxes for their child. This policy extends to sharing food as well. To prevent a student accidentally coming in to contact with nuts we have restricted the sharing of student’s meals and we thank you for your support and understanding in this matter.

Staff CPR and First-Aid course

The safety of your children is always the top-most concern at HFS and I am pleased to report that all the staff will attend a level 1 CPR and First-Aid course conducted by the Korean Red Cross. This certificate course will better enable the staff to deal with a medical emergency in the correct way should it arise.

Class Dojo School Reward System

I am happy to report that we are launching our school-wide points reward system to acknowledge when the students are doing well. Points will be awarded based on the core principles to which HFS adheres and prizes will be given out in these categories at the end of term. The categories are respect, international mindedness, curiosity, confidence, teamwork, responsibility, creativity, tolerance, environmental awareness and leadership.

D.E.A.R. and Health and Fitness

At HFS we believe readers are leaders and we will be initiating a “Drop Everything and READ” program every Friday during the last period. Students will be encouraged to find a quiet, comfortable space and simply read a book for fifteen to twenty minutes. Reading for enjoyment for a short period has been shown to stimulate the mind. We will also be kicking off a “Health and Fitness at HFS” program where the school will gather and perform fifteen minutes of fun, stimulating exercise to keep fit and healthy. At HFS we encourage our students to be not only mentally fit but physically fit as well.

Thank you for attending the HFS Chuseok festivities today. It was entertaining and illuminating. I trust that a good time was enjoyed by all despite the weather being a little wet. It is important for an International School to honor the hallowed festivals, holidays and traditions of the host culture in which it resides. At HFS we aim to do that by including the whole school in the preparation and proceedings. Well done to the year 2/3’s for being excellent MC’s and thank you to Miss Yuli for the wonderful Seoye calligraphy. I particularly enjoyed the informative presentations by the senior students and the Shireum wrestling was a lot of fun. Thank you to the HFS staff for all their hard work they put in toward making today a success and I look forward to next year’s celebration. Please enjoy these pictures from the day’s activities and please follow the HFS Facebook page for more.

Chuseok Holiday

The school will be closed from September 24th until October 3rd. I hope everyone will have an enjoyable break and I look forward to seeing you return on Thursday October 4th.

Electronic Devices

HFS encourages the use of laptops and tablets but a few students have been bringing with them electronic devices that may be a distraction to the learning environment. If a device does not have an immediate educational value it will be restricted from the classroom. Students will be asked to place their device in the school lockers provided and they can use it during break times and after school.

Reading and homework

At HFS we believe readers are leaders and so we will encourage students to read-read-read during the holiday break, particularly on any rainy day. Also ensure that any homework that is assigned is completed as soon as possible to enjoy as much of the holidays as you can.

Thank you for your continued support and have a wonderful Chuseok Holiday.